Starting gate for horse races



June 6, 1950 w, R, MILLS 2,510,828

STARTING GATE FOR HORSE RACES Filed April 15, 1946 2 Sheets-Sheet l ION lDl-D N IO INVENTOR. WILLIAM R. MILLS ATTORN S June 6, 1950 w. R. MILLS STARTING GATE FOR HORSE RACES 2 Sheets-Shet 2 Filed April 15, 1946.

FIG. 3.

FIG. 6.

FIG. 4.

INVENTOR. WILLIAM R. MILLS Wm M ATTORNEYS Patented June 6, 1950 ATENT OFFICE 2,510,828 STARTING GATE FOR HORSE'EACES William 1 R. Mills, Paaaetgcam. 1' Application April 15, 1946; Serial No. 662,221

15 Claims.

Theipresentinventionrelates to a starting device-for horse races and'h'as reference more particularlyftoiajstarting device which is adapted for rthe 's'tarting of'either harness-or running terse, races, A principal feature of the present starting device is that itpermits' the horses to be'started from a moving condition.

.Due to the singleness ofpurpose which race horsesexhibit", prior to the start of a'race, a moving start permits-a fairer and more spectacular start; and at .the' same timeis less detrimental to the horses. Thebenefit' to the horses of a movingllstartaccrues from getting-them into motion gradually so'lthat lwhen the barrier is sprung there isjno need forfthe powerful iorward'sur'ge which attends 'af'standing' start, resultins sfreque'ntly in strains and injuries. In thecase of a moving start, asipr'ovided by my present'starting device, the attention .of the'horsesl is directed toward the-movement," and'the starting strain is greatlyflessened. 2 y ,7

Vario'us" types of starting devices have been developed for horseracing inattempts to insure that all ofthe' horses in the race will get away to an ve start How v rmo tfl thesestar ing devices are unsatisfactory in that Ltheyare so large that they'req'uire permanent installation on atrack, andare so oostlythat only the larger a'ndfwealthiertracks; ar able :to afford them. Eurthermora nostpf them are notadapted'to getting the horses off to amoving start v 7 A bje t eipre n i n io is t make animproved devicefor starting horse races with amovins st t .i v ,7

lAnother objectis to make an improved device f startin ;bzo s igra e wi v a o i sta whereby a principal portion of the weightof'jthe seawater? i lc mfi n a m tiv hi a minq f oit on' Q i h wei h of "th .i' r c s .ii siab y subverted 2011; a' a i i Support wheel'adapt'edto roll'alongar ace track. V n Another object i t make a d'e'vice tor starting horse raceswith a moving start whereinone end of thestarting device is adapted :asily to be rolled: into fandu outjoistarting position :on a racejtrack, adjustable Irieans being provided to shift' the center of gravity ofthendevice, thereby to control'thestability' of a track traversing portionlof thedevice. a v c Another object is to makea track traversing horse race-starting devicefwith a transported end, and a'track tra'versing end,'th e;'de'vice'havingweightadjustingieatures for varying the supported weight ofie trachtraversing {end'of the device for minimizing damage to the track and foradjustablystabilizing thedevice.

In vgener al the deviceof the presentfinvention comprises a horse race starting 'device having-a framework with one end thereof fulcrumdjbh a pivoted support on a motor vehicle, the other end of the device being supported on a freely r011- ing pivoted stabilizing wheel support adapted to roll along a race track, the framework being adapted to align the horses for starting andjtoget the; horses away 7 to a. moving "start, and the; center of gravityof the device being 'a'djustable to vary the weight supported by the" stabilizing wheel. 7 M v e These and other features of theinvention will be more-fully set forth in the following'fldes'cription and the accompanying 'drawings,' of which there are two sheets. In the drawings: t

Fig. .1 is-a view in rearelevation of a horse race starting. device embodying the presentv invention, an intermediate portion of the device being broken away; n p

Fig.2 is afpartialplan view of the deviceillustrated in Fig. 1 a

w i .1, is a -left'hand end elevation'al viewer the device shown' in Figsnl and 2, a barrier being shown in .down position in solid lines; andin sprungpos'ition in dotted lines; v y c t Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional View taken as on'the line 4-4 of'E'ig. 1,'s'jho'w'ing a lockable pivotal fulcrumed connection between the starting device and a transportingmotor vehicle as the parts wouldappearwith'thestarting device in trail behind the transporting ve more; v t s Fig. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the locking pin and pivotal disc connection as 'it would appear with thestarting device locked in starting position relatively to a transporting ve hicle;and V I V Fig. 6 is a diagrammaticviewshowing, (in solid lines, thestarting device in trail 'behind af transporting vehicle, and,'in dotted lines, locked in position for'starting arace. y I

'Referringto the drawings-in detailja rectangular frame Ill maybe constructed of wood, or light structural vmetal, a truss l.l being provided above-the longitudinal front and rear members of the frame II] to addnecessary strength and rigidity to the frame. The truss .I l comprises horizontal upper truss members l3 and vertical members Hand l5,'which-connect the ends of the upper truss members 13 to the frame It]. i I Diagonalftru'ss bracing members l'l extend from an end of each of thehoriioiitaltrus's members 13 to anend of the frame I!) whichisiiilcruine-d on-a motor vehicle such as a'tractor 12.

From the other end of the horizontal truss members 13, diagonal truss members l8 are connected to a vertical member I9 mounted on a wheel 2| on the opposite end of the device from the tractor l2. The vertical support member I3 extends downwardly below the frame I and has a stall, or guide member secured to its lower end. The guide member 20 comprises a wooden or metal frame suitably padded, as with felt, and covered with canvas to prevent the horses from injuring their legs when in starting position in the device.

The wheel 2| which provides a stabilizing support for the end of the device remote from the tractor |2 is mounted in a castored bracket 22, as best illustrated in Fig. 3. The bracket 22 is slidably mounted for limited vertical movement relatively to the member 20 and is provided with a coil spring 23 held in compression between the bracket 22 and the frame of the member 20, resiliently to support the device on the wheel 2|.

A plurality of intermediate vertical stall or guide supports 24, 25 and 26 may be secured to the diagonal truss member l8 and to the frame I0. These guide support members extend downwardly the same distance below the frame ID as the vertical member I9, and each of these frame members 24, 25 and 26 has a stall or guide member, such as the member 28, mounted on the lower end thereof.

It will be noted that the guide member 2!! is similar to one-half of the member 28, as divided by a vertical median plane from front to rear thereof. The type of guides illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 are particularly suitable for use in starting trotting or pacing races, since the tapered rear ends of the guide members act to cam or guide a horse and sulky into a starting stall between adaj cent pairs of the guide members. Plain stall divisions, such as slats or wire fencing, not

illustrated, or no stall divisions at all may be desirable for some uses, for example in starting some running races or steeple chases. Since such devices can be readily devised by an ordinary workman, it is believed unnecessary to illustrate or describe them in further detail.

A second end guide member 29 similar to the member 20 is mounted adjacent the tractor |2 on a support member 30 which is hingedly connected, as at 3|, to the frame H]. A securing device, such as a hook 32, is provided to hold the support member 30 in the vertical solid line position of Fig. 1 during the starting of a race, and a second such device, such as a hook 33, is provided to hold the support member 30 in the angularly outward position illustrated in dotted lines in Fig. 1. The support member 30 is retained in the latter position when a transporting motor vehicle, such as the tractor l2, is to be swung pivotally in a horizontal plane relatively to the frame Ill.

The fulcrum and driving. support for the starting device comprises a frame 34, which may be of structural steel, mounted on a motor vehicle such as the tractor I2. A disc 35, which may be of cast iron or steel plate, is mounted horizontally on top of the frame 34. A second disc 3'! is superposed in registering position on the disc and is connected pivotally to the disc 35 by a pivot bolt 38. A lubricant fitting 39 may be mounted in a hole extending through the upper disc 31 to permit the injection of lubricant between the contacting faces of the upper and lower discs.

disc 31. These bosses 44 and 45 are connected by pivot pins 41 and 48, respectively, to a pair of frame members 49 and 50 (see Fig. 4) secured to the frame Ill to project downwardly therefrom.

The lower disc 35 has a laterally projecting boss 40 (see Fig. 4) with a vertical hole 4| therethrough, and the upper disc 31 (see Fig. 2) has a similar laterally projecting boss 42 with a similar hole 43 therein. The holes 4| and 43 are adapted to register with each other when the frame In is positioned at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the tractor l2, as shown in Figs. 1, 2 and in dotted lines in Fig. 6. A locking pin 5| is adapted to be inserted in the holes 4| and 43 to lock the tractor and the frame together in the right angle position as set forth above.

The stabilizing wheel 2| holds the fulcrumed starting device on a true and level course down the track as the device is carried along by the tractor l2 during the start of a race. The weight supported by the wheel should be light enough to prevent undue drag, but should be sufiicient to hold the device steady on the track. The required adjustment of the weight supported by the wheel 2| for best performance varies with different tracks.

In order to permit adjustment of the weight supported by the wheel 2|, means are provided to shift the center of gravity of the starting device relatively to its fulcrumed support on the tractor l2. The means illustrated for accomplishing this shifting of the center of gravity comprise a counterweight 52, which may be a cast block of lead or cement, mounted on a wheeled carriage 53. The wheels of the carriage are mounted in channelled tracks 54 and 55 and the body of the carriage is provided with a threaded opening therethrough to receive an adjusting member such as a screw 57. The inner end of the adjusting screw 5! is pivoted in a support plate 58 which permits rotation of the screw 51 and retains it against endwise movement.

An operating handle 59 is secured in position in the screw 51 to provide means for turning the screw so that the weight 52 may be moved inwardly or outwardly as desired on the channelled tracks 54 and 55. The fulcrum of the starting device is the axis of the pivot pins 41 and 48, so

that by moving the weight 52 to the right, as illustrated in Fig. 2, the amount of weight supported by the stabilizing wheel 2| is lessened. By moving the weight inwardly toward the tractor, the amount of weight supported by the wheel 2| is increased. In this manner the amount of weight supported by the wheel 2| can be adjusted in accordance with the condition of the track on which the device is to be used, so as to provide suitable stability of the device without unduly increasing the drag on the wheel 2|.

When the starting device is locked at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the tractor, as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 and by dotted lines in Fig. 5, the tractor is free for lateral tilting movement about the pivot pins 41 and 48 with respect to the frame H! which may be caused by unevenness in the portion of the track traversed by the tractor l2 or the wheel 2 At the same time, the frame M! will be held rigidly against for and aft tilting movement relatively to the tractor by the pivot bolt 38 and the pivot pins 4'! and 48.

When it is desired to transport the device other than in starting a race, the device is unlocked A pair of upwardly projecting bosses 44 and 45 A are provided on the opposite sides of the upper from the position illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 by withdrawing the locking pin 5| from th holes 4| and: When'thea-lockingpin thus iswithdrawm the upper disc 31 is free touswive'l about-theipivotv bolt 38,-.so that the:entire.-starting device will follow? the stractorrin trail; as: indicated in solid lines? in Fig:

When thus: being; towedxin trail the :axes. or the pivot pins 4 7= and 48 'will be normal to the-longitudinal axisrof'the, tractor, and thus will-permit fore-and 'a-ft' tiltinggof the tractor: due t'ouneven nessofth ground. In" such trail position; the startingdevicexwill beheld byythe'pivo't pins ll' and 48 againstlateral tilting relatively, to thet'ractorn Lateral tiltingof the device in conjunctioniwith't-he tractor Will:be.permitted; however," by;v the'singlerwheel 21 which supports what isin' this sposition, the. rear end of the device.

Before moving'; the tractorforward-after releasing the locking pin 5|, the stall supportmem'ber- 30.-adjacent.the tractor is'swung outwardly to the dotted line position illustrated: inFlg'. 1', and is secured inthis position'as by. means of thehook 33:so"as-to permit free horizontal pivotalmovemerit-of the: tractor relatively to-the starting-device:

Abarrier. EBiSF'mOHHBBdSOQS tobe in front of the hors'es. headsprior to' their release after a predetermined initial movement" of the device along the track. The" barrier comprises a rectangulariframe 61; which may be of light tubular metal; with azcoVeringJSZ which may be-of wire mesh; screen 'or'other'light material. The selection 'of: thismat'erial wilPdependon whether it is desired?togivethe-horses more or less freedom tor-see the track ahea'dof the-starting device.

The frame. 61 is secured toa shaft t-twhi'ch ispivotally mounted in'bracket's-t on a laterally projecting'frame portion'et carried by. the frame or. An' arm' 61 al'sdsecured to thepivot' shaft 63* has; its outer: end: connected to: a coil' spring 68 which is held in tension-between the outer end of the" arm .61- and the projecting. frame? portion 6 5. Aispnngepressed latch 69' is positioned toengage a dog" lirse'cured to the-shaft 63" to holdtheb 'arrier 66' downward-1y. against the tension of: the coil: spring 55 in" the position illustrate'd'insolid lines-in Fig. 3: A":latch operating handle H may b'ec'onnectedrto the releasing latchifis'bya cord 12: On' releasingthelatch 6'8: thecoil'spring 6'8- swingssthesbarrier 6i outwardly to "thedotted line position illustrated in Fig: 3, therebyrreleasingthe 6 horses: for the start of: the race. Barriers, of course;. areznot new: per se,.and various t pes of suitablel'electricali and. mechanical: latches andmotivating: arrangements are available? controlling theiroperation.

The: operationof! the starting device is; as: fol--- lows: When it is desired to transportthe: device: from": place to place: the locking: pin. 5.!5 is: withdrawn to permit: free relative pivotal: movement. between the plates 35'. and 3T about. the pivot: boltSB; The vertical stall support member Sills latched outwardly in the dotted line position i17- liistrated in Fig-; 1,. after which the" devicez'will' fo'llo'w the tractor in: trail and may: be towed readily to any desired point; even, if necessary; along-'thehighways.

- When the device is to beus'ed for starting a race it is t'owecl onto the raceitra'cls-and thetrac to'r'i's head'ed down the track intlie direction of" the start of the race.- swung tot a position transversely. 'across-the track; either by manipulating the tractor or ma fl'll y The starting device i's locked in: position illustrated in Figs; 1 and 2 and in dotted-hnesinFigt- S and; if' the -devi'ce" has-not alreadi -been -balanced The startingYdevice I 6;" for fthemarticulantracki conditions existing at-the time;,thertractor; carryingzthe :devicein the right;- angle or starting position; is driven. along the track-in a manner simulating the startof arace. The position of the weight '52 on the track-s54 and 55 is adjusted during'such trialrun'to bring about" the desired. stabilizing effect.- bythe. castored.

wheel 2 I;

In starting a race the starting deviceispositionedasillustrated in Fig. 1 with the-barrier time down positionillustrated inFigs. 1; 2- and in-solid lines-inFig. 3.. The horses are thendriven or ridden, depending on thetype of race, int0= starting position back of the'barrier. Thetractor then: isstarted down the track carrying; the starting device-in the. position illustrated-inliig, 1. The drivers or riders are permitted tokeep. their horses as close to. the barrier as they desire and are able, and when the startingline is,

. reached the barrier release handle ll is..operatedi to spring thebarrier, thereby releasing .the horses for-the ofiicialstartoi the race.

After the-horses have. been releasedby. spring;- ing the barrier,, the. tractor is: stopped. and the. locking pin. 5 I may. be. withdrawn. Asth. tractor is .again .drilven. ahead, .the starting. device will move pivotally into trail position. behind. the tracton. The entire device. may then bedriven ofi. theitrack so thatthe trackiwillv be clear for.

thefinishof-the race,

In case of power failureofl the tractor after the. horses. have been released; the starting. gate may. be, swung, manually. into the trail position. behindthetract'or so asto minimize the amount oflohstructionof'the track at the finish. of the race.

While I. have. illustrated and.d'escribe'd' a specific, simple, handoperatedmeans for adjusting the center of gravity. ofthe startingdevi'ce relati'velyt'o its fulcrum soas to varythe' weightion the stabilizing wheel; this arrangement is capabl'e' of" numerous ready modifications or mechae niza'tion bythosefamilianwith the art without departing from the spirit" of my" present invention'.. .Othenmodificationsalso will readily occur' to" those familiar with the art; and it is'desired therefore not to limit the invention exceptas' specifically defined'in the" followingclaims;

I claim? 1 A device-for'starting horseraces ina moving start comprising a frame elevated to clear racing horses passing beneatliit, a barrier operatively mounted on said frame; a stabilizing' support at: one end of said frame, a motor vehicle 'pivotall'y connected t'o said'. frame adjacentthe: other. end;

of said frame from sa'id stabilizing: support;- means for" locking the: frame at right angles to thelongitudinal axis of the motor? vehicle; for: movement in a directiorrparallel to said' motor" vehicle axis; and means I providing: limited: laterali tilting? connection: between:..saidi motor: vehicle. and-"the frame: Y

2; dViCEfOTSta'I'IliIIEZhOrSPL races inaaimoviing start. comprising frame: elevated: to: clear. racingi horses passingi' beneath; iti. a plurality of: stall divisions mounted to depend downward from said frame, a barrier operatively mounted, on saidframe, a stabilizing support wheel at' one end of said frame; a motor: vehicle. pivotally. connected to said frame a' short distance inwardly' from the other endof said frame from said wheel, means-for locking the frame at right angles to. the longitudinal. axis of the. motor; vehicle. for. movement in": a direction parallel. tosaid motor. vehicle axis;- an'di means: providingzliinitedi lateral;

tilting connection with said motor vehicle with the device locked at right angles to the longitudinal axis of said motor vehicle.

3. A device for starting horse races in a moving start comprising a frame elevated to clear racing horses passing beneath it, barrier operatively mounted on said frame, a stabilizing support wheel at one end of said frame, a motor vehicle pivotally connected to said frame a short distance inwardly from the other end of said frame from said Wheel, means for locking the frame at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the motor vehicle for movement in a direction parallel to said motor vehicle axis, and means providing limited lateral tilting connection with said motor vehicle with the device locked at right angles to the longitudinal axis of said motor vehicle, said locking means being releasable to free said device for pivotal movement to a position in trail rearwardly of said motor vehicle.

4. A device for starting horse races in a moving start comprising in combination with a motor vehicle, a frame fulcrumed on said motor vehicle to project laterally therefrom at an elevation to clear racing horses passing beneath the frame, means for holding the frame in such laterally projecting position during a forward driving action of said motor vehicle, a barrier operatively mounted on said frame, and track engaging stabilizing means carried by said frame remotely from said motor vehicle.

5. A device for starting horse races in a moving start comprising in combination with a motor vehicle, a. pivotal support on said motor vehicle adapted to pivot in a horizontal plane, a frame fulcrumed on said pivotal support to tilt only lengthwise of said frame relatively to the plane of pivotal movement of said pivotal support, the frame projecting a substantial distance beyond said fulcrum in one direction at a height to clear racing horses passing beneath said frame, a barrier operatively mounted on the frame, a track engaging stabilizing wheel mounted adjacent the end of said frame in said one direction, weighted means carried by said frame on the other side of said fulcrum from said wheel, and means for shifting the center of gravity of said weighted frame relatively to said fulcrum and said wheel thereby to vary the weight supported by said wheel.

6. A device for starting horse races in a moving start comprising in combination with a motor vehicle, a frame adapted to be fulcrumed on said motor vehicle to project laterally therefrom at an elevation to clear racing horses passing beneath the frame, releasable means for holding the frame in such laterally projecting position during a forward driving action of said motor vehicle, a barrier operatively mounted on said frame, track engaging stabilizing means carried by said frame remotely from said motor vehicle, and means providing free lateral swivelled connection between the motor vehicle and the frame on release of said releasable holding means.

'7. A device for starting horse races in a moving start comprising in combination with a motor vehicle, a fulcrum support pivoted to turn in a horizontal plane mounted on said motor vehicle, a frame fulcrumed on said support at an elevation to clear racing horses passing beneath the frame, track engaging stabilizing means carried by said frame remotely from said fulcrum support, locking means releasably locking the frame at right anglesto the longitudinal axis of the motor vehicle, and a starting barrier operatively mounted on the frame.

8. A device for starting horse races in a moving start comprising in combination with a motor vehicle, a fulcrum support, pivoted to turn in a horizontal plane, mounted on said motor vehicle, an elongated frame fulcrumed on said support to tilt only about an axis normal to the longitudinal axis of the frame, the frame being mounted at an elevation to clear racing horses passing beneath the frame, a starting barrier operatively mounted on the frame, and a single track engaging stabilizing castored wheel mounted on said frame remotely from said motor vehicle, said wheel supporting a portion of the weight of said frame as determined by the position of said fulcrum relatively to the center of gravity of the device.

9. A device for starting horse races in a moving start comprising a frame elevated to permit racing horses to pass beneath it, a barrier operatively mounted on said frame, a stabilizing support wheel adjacent one end of said frame, a motor vehicle pivotally connected to said frame adjacent the other end of said frame from said wheel, means for locking the frame at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the motor vehicle for movement in a direction parallel to said motor vehicle axis, means providing limited lateral tilting connection with said motor vehicle with the device locked at right angles to the longitudinal axis of said motor vehicle, said locking means being releasable to free said device for pivotal movement to a position in trail rearwardly of said motor vehicle, a weight mass carried by said frame beyond the connection of the frame to the motor vehicle from said stabilizing support wheel, and means for adjusting said weight mass longitudinally of said frame to vary the weight on said stabilizing wheel.

10. A device for starting horse races in a moving start comprising a frame elevated to permit racing horses to pass beneath it, a barrier operatively mounted on said frame, a stabilizing support wheel adjacent one end of said frame, a motor vehicle pivotally connected to said frame adjacent the other end of said frame from said wheel, means for locking the frame at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the motor vehicle for movement in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of said motor vehicle, a weight mass mounted on said frame on the opposite side of the pivotal connection from said stabilizing support wheel to counterbalance a portion of the weight carried by said support wheel, and means for adjusting the weight mass longitudinally of said frame.

11. A device for starting horse races in a moving start comprising a frame elevated to permit racing horses to pass beneath it, a barrier operatively mounted on said frame, a stabilizing support wheel at one end of said frame, a motor vehicle pivotally connected to said frame a short distance inwardly from the other end of said frame from said wheel, means for locking the frame at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the motor vehicle for movement in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of said motor vehicle, means providing limited lateral tilting connection with said motor vehicle with the device locked at right angles to the longitudinal axis of said motor vehicle, said locking means being releasable to free said device for pivotal movement to a position in trail rearwardly of said motor vehicle, a track mounted longitudinally of said frame on the opposite side of the V pivotal connection from the stabilizing support wheel, a carriage mounted for movement lengthwise on said track, means for adjusting the position of the carriage on the track, and a weight mass securely mounted on said carriage.

12. In a device for starting a horse race in a moving start, a mobile support adapted for movement along a racetrack, a barrier support'fulcrumed on said support to extend transversely in overhanging position relatively to the track, and means acting relatively to said barrier support and said fulcrum to change the center of gravity of the barrier support relatively to the fulcrum.

13. In a device for starting a horse race in a moving start comprising a mobile support adapted for movement along a racetrack, a barrier support fulcrumed on said support to extend transversely in overhanging position relatively to the track, a track engaging support element carried by the barrier remotely from the mobile support, and means acting relatively to said barrier support and said fulcrum to change the center of gravity of the barrier support relatively to the fulcrum thereby to vary the supported weight on said track engaging support element.

14. In a device for starting horse races in a moving start, a mobile support adapted for movement along a race track, a barrier supporting frame, means mounting said frame on said support for pivotal movement about a vertical axis and for limited tilting movement about a horizontal axis, means for releasably locking said direction of travel of said mobile support against pivotal movement about said vertical axis while permitting tilting of said frame about said horizontal axis, and a track engaging stabilizing wheel mounted on said frame at a point remote from said mobile support.

15. In a device for starting horse races in a moving start, a mobile support adapted for movement along a racetrack, a barrier supporting frame, means mounting said frame on said support for pivotal movement about a vertical axis and for limited tilting movement about a horizontal axis, means for releasably locking said frame in a position at right angles to the normal direction of travel of said mobile support against pivotal movement about said vertical axis while permitting tilting of said frame about said horizontal axis, a track engaging stabilizing wheel mounted on said frame at a point remote from said mobile support, and a counterweight mount- .ed on said frame and adjustable along said frame to a predetermined position thereon.

WILLIAM R. MILLS.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 

